San Diego hopes to have a new GM in place by the middle of next week, in time to join the coaching search with chairman Dean Spanos, director of college scouting John Spanos, assistant GM Ed McGuire and consultant Ron Wolf.

Lovie to the Chargers is an interesting concept. The Bears sent Smith packing because he couldn't make it work with a franchise quarterback behind a spotty offensive line. That sounds awfully close to what drove people nuts about Turner.

Smith's future is anyone's guess, but when San Diego gets its ducks in a row, the Chargers would like to chat.